The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard bashed Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis for being “unprepared” to answer several questions related to a $500m Inter-American Development bank loan, the status of Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), the government’s efforts to enhance transparency, and other more matters.

During a rare question and answer session in the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr Pintard during was given 30 minutes to ask the government questions.

However, in response to a dozen questions, Mr Davis said he was not prepared to answer. Mr Pintard highlighted that the questions were issued to the administration on October 30, 2023, giving the government sufficient time to prepare.

Among the questions Mr Pintard asked was for the government to identify the initiatives in place to improve mechanisms that enhance transparency and accountability as promised during the PLP electoral campaign.

Mr Pintard also asked Mr Davis which steps the government will take to strengthen agencies and fiscal responsibility to ensure timely reporting of statutory reports.

Another question was asked to Mr Davis about the $500m loan from the Intern-American Development Bank.

“Just before I continue with the last couple of questions in this section, would the honourable Prime Minister indicate to the Bahamian people why he is not prepared to answer these questions, which is a part his of his responsibilities?” Mr Pintard said.

He also pressed Mr Davis on BPL, asking about a $100m loan that was provided to the utility company.

Mr Pintard then directed a question to JoBeth Coleby-Davis, Minister of Energy and Transport.

He asked: “Will the Honourable Minister advise this honourable house as to what extent the government has consulted any of the agencies or members of the public with respect to the future vision and direction of BPL in advance in engaging private firms in discussions about contract and or sale for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity?”

Mrs Coleby-Davis said she was not prepared to answer at this time, noting she would be prepared to answer the questions after the Free National Movement’s convention.

Several questions were also directed to Alfred Sears, Minister of Immigration and National Insurance, but he was not present in the House to answer.

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell was asked about the number of envoys the Davis administration hires and their salary. Mr Mitchell said there were two envoys, both unpaid.

Mr Mitchell was asked about the number of foreign service officers, attaches, and other staff members the administration posted and where.

He responded that the administration posted three in Haiti, two in Cuba, seven, in Miami, eight in Atlanta, one in Los Angeles, three in New York Mission, three New York consulate, three in Ottawa, three in China, five in Toronto, five in London, one in Brussels, three in Geneva, three in Beijing, and four in Washington.

Additionally, Pia Glover-Rolle, Minister of Labour and the Public Service, was asked about the number of retired public officers who have returned to work. She noted that her was still researching those numbers and once it was completed, the findings would be shared.

By the end of the 30 minutes, St Anne’s MP Adrian White attempted to direct a question to Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweetng but Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly Wayne Munroe said the opposition had finished their time. Mr Munroe suggested Mr Pintard wasted the question time repeating questions.

Mr Munroe further suggested Mr Pintard was anxious to ask all of his questions because he was uncertain he would be the leader of the FNM after facing former FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis at the upcoming convention in June.

“We’ve assured Marco City that we have faith that he’ll be back, and so he really didn’t have to hog all the time,” he said.

Mr White argued the government was not paying respect to the business of the House.

“In my humble opinion, the government side has treated this honourable House with such contempt today that it is a shameful display of representation of the people,” he said.